It had been a few days since Kahlan informed Richard how she felt about his behavior towards her. He now took care to not take care, and the relationship between them bettered almost instantly. She no longer became aggravated with him and was more playful than anything. When she asked him for something, he even joked, telling her to get it herself. She'd scrunch her nose and pout, and Richard would already be out the door retrieving what she wanted.

Despite Richard's warnings, Zedd didn't let up on shoving remedies for Kahlan's supposed ailments in her face. More often than not, Maria was there accompanying Zedd. When she had met Kahlan, she almost wept from joy, amazed at how sweet the Mother Confessor was and how she grew with Lord Rahl's child. When Maria accidentally slipped up that she had helped Richard plan Kahlan's surprise, Kahlan smiled and offered to give Maria a tour of the whole palace. Maria was now prone to defend Kahlan, often batting Zedd's hands when he tried to offer elixir's her way.

Kahlan was thankful for all the extra defense she could get.

Although Kahlan had long abandoned the quad, Richard still kept them at the ready, stationed in the palace. Because Kahlan was now being treated more as the Mother Confessor and less like an helpless woman, she began taking more time to spend outside, often wandering the courtyard and the tiny forest it held. Richard would stand from a distance, leaning on the doorway, watching her as she waddled around, her hands resting on the top of her belly. The sight took his breath away.

Even though her pregnancy was still early on and her stomach only slightly larger, she began having new Confessor's dresses made, ones that fit her constantly growing figure. Kahlan had shunned the use of her corset long ago, causing Richard to take notice on how she naturally filled out her garments. Her hair was pinned to the back of her head more frequently, the mass aggravating her. She was a sight on sore eyes.

When Kahlan first noticed the quad stalking along in the woods, she paid no mind, acting as though they weren't there. However, when she returned to their room, she made a point that if she were to walk along the woods, that men shouldn't be creeping in the shadows and following her. Richard told the quad the next day that they would be better off walking in plain sight.

The men no longer tried to hide their presence.

When Richard walked into their room he saw Kahlan standing by the window, looking among the trees.

"Hello there, beautiful." Richard beamed, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her stomach, tracing light patterns over the swell. He smiled as he kissed the soft flesh behind her ear.

"The civilians are starting to notice how I'm being followed by a quad." Her tone was flat, her body stiff and her face void of emotion.

"And?"

"It makes them uneasy to know that the leader of the Midlands is being constantly accompanied by a quad - the same quads that have killed countless people." Richard sighed against her skin as he turned her around to look at him. She was wearing her Confessor's face.

"All the people seem to be getting along nicely with the troops." Kahlan shook her head and fumbled with the ties of her dress.

"They aren't. Even though we are having a child, many are concerned that you aren't confessed, scared that you will change your mind and allow your men to run rampant among the Midlands."

Richard took a step back, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "That's insane. I've never been hostile to any of them. All I've been is kind."

Kahlan turned her body slightly, crossing her arms beneath her breasts as she glanced out the window. "It's the title, Richard. It brings back horrid memories."

"I did nothing to Aydindril, or the Midlands! I've been nothing but civil to these people. Why is the taint of Darken Rahl seeping it's way into my rule? I owe the Midlands nothing."

Her gaze redirected to him. "You owe the Midlands everything, Richard." Her tone was sharp and dangerous. "You are a Rahl."

"And what do you want me to do about this, Kahlan?"

"Remove your army." Her words held venom and her eyes were hard. Richard shook his head, backing away and lifting his hands.

"Kahlan, this is ridiculous. These people shouldn't hold me to my title, I did nothing to deserve suspicion."

"It doesn't matter."

"I don't hold you to your title, Kahlan. I don't question every move you make and relate it to you being the Mother Confessor."

Kahlan tilted her head, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth as she glared at him.

"Yes, D'Hara owes the Midlands more than I can even comprehend, But no, the cloud of Darken Rahl's rule should not hang over my head."

She turned, facing the window again, flicking her hand at him. "If you don't care about the Midlands, then you don't care about me." Richard tugged at her arm gently, forcing her to come face to face with him again.

"Don't say that. My feelings for you are their own entity, they are not mixed in with my feelings about this situation." Richard's anger was rising and he struggled to keep his voice steady.

"Richard, I am entwined with the Midlands. I'm asking you to do this for me, to remove your army and ensure the people of Aydindril peace. If you won't do that, then you don't care about me, or respect my rule."

"The two do not coincide."

"They do, and you know it." She snapped, yanking her arm away from him as her face flushed.

"Kahlan, I do care about the Midlands, I do. They were wrongfully oppressed by D'Hara, and many lives were lost because of a tyrant. However, I will not risk your safety in order to give these people peace of mind. They should know this is for your protection. This whole city is devoted to you, Kahlan. You are their Mother Confessor, they should want to protect you - want me to protect you."

"The army is not necessary for that."

"It's the only real protection I can offer you."

"I would rather die than become in debt to D'Hara." Her eyes were cold, her face stern.

"What's this have to do with being in debt to D'Hara? Kahlan, they are doing as I ask. They are in debt to no one."

"One day you will die and someone will take your place, I will not be the reason my people become oppressed again."

"Kahlan, what are you talking about?"

"Do you honestly think the man who takes your place is going to be as kind-hearted as you, Richard? They will use this against the Midlands, twisting it and claiming D'Hara was protecting us from some unforeseen foe, using it as leverage to manipulate the Midlands into doing as they wish. It isn't the first time D'Hara has done things of the sort to the Midlands, and I refuse to be the cause of it happening again."

Richard turned away from her, running his hands through his hair. Kahlan had logical points, and Richard was very aware that D'Hara had done things like this before and that the man who took his place would probably be cruel. He'd argue with Kahlan, but there was nothing to argue when it came to that. He wasn't to have any male children. The only children he was going to have was with Kahlan, who only bore female Confessors. Someone of a distant bloodline would take the throne, most likely following in Darken Rahl's footsteps. He needed to change the subject.

"That's not what this is about," he stammered out, facing her once again. "Your pride is too large for you to accept help from anyone else." Kahlan's jaw dropped and she scoffed, shaking her head in disgust.

"Despite what you may think about my pride, Richard Cypher, it doesn't make my point any less valid." Richard hated that she was right. He sighed in frustration as he wracked his brain for ways to defend his stance. He wasn't taking the army from Aydindril, he knew that much. "You have been the enemy for years, the least you can do is this."

Richard closed the gap between them, hovering only inches in front of her face. "I am not Darken Rahl! I'm tired of being compared to him, it insults who I am. I don't kill innocent people, I don't hunt down women with magical forces," he gestured with his hands towards Kahlan. "You are spitting on me by calling me the enemy, by comparing me to that monster." Richard's rage was steadily barreling out of control.

Kahlan face remained blank, her words laced with venom. "If you aren't willing to withdraw your troops, take your army and leave."

"I would sooner destroy the entire Midlands before leaving you!" His face was red, his anger pumping through is blood. It was the first time Richard had saw an expression on Kahlan's face throughout the whole argument. Her face contorted and he saw her repressing the urge to choke the life out of him.

"Get out." Her words were sharp, underlying threat evident.

"Kahlan Amnell, despite your best attempts, you will never be rid of me." He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly in his own. "We are forever bonded by the life we have created, and you may hate me for this, but I don't care. Aydindril has a standing guard, not an effective army. I will not allow any harm to come you. The Midlands can remain suspicious about my true motives, I could care less. All that matters is protecting you, whether or not you like it." He let go of her hand, turning to leave the room.

"Am I going to have to warn the Midlands to prepare for war against D'Hara?" Her voice was surprisingly calm, shaking Richard to the core. He turned and glared at her, his eyes dark with fury.

"Do what you must, Mother Confessor." He slammed the door and took a few steps before he sighed and slumped against the nearest wall.

Richard had a gnawing feeling that he just signed his death warrant.